System for controlling valves or gates



Oct. 4, 1932. H. RAPPOLD SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING VALVES 0R GATES Filed Sept. 16, 1:930

Patented Oct. 4, 1932 rarer Flea HERMANN RAPIPOLD, OF DUREN-ON-THE-RI-IINE, GERMANY SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING VALVES OR GATES Application filed September 16, 1930, Serial No.

My invention relates to improvements in systems for controlling valves or gates such for example as gates of air heaters, and more particularly in systems of the type in which the valves or gates are adapted to be opened or closed in regulated sequence by means of a suitable motive fluid such as oil under pressure flowing through controlling members adapted to be set in the positions corresponding to the desired sequence of the operation. A system of this type has been described in the patent of the United States No. 1,631,950 granted to me on June 27, 1927, in connection with air heaters for blast furnaces. In systems of this type such as are now in use the controlling members are operated by hand by means of a system of levers, and therefore they must be mounted at the central station from which the valves or gates are controlled.

, Ordinarily the said central station is located a greatdistance away from the gates, and therefore long pipes are needed for conducting the pressure fluid to the gates, so that the cost of the manufacture of the system and the working expenses are high.

The object of the improvements is to provide a system which can be manufactured and maintained at low cost, and with this object in view my invention consists in providing electrical means for operating the controlling devices, which electrical means may be controlled from a central station located any distance away from the gates. Thus the controlling devices may be located near the gates, so that only short pipes for the motive fluid are needed, and only electrical leads are necessary for connecting said electrical means with the central station, which leads may be mounted and maintained at low cost. Ihe electric controlling means are constructed so that all the controlling devices or only some of them are operated, for setting all the gates or a part thereof. i

F or the purpose of explaining the invention an example embodying the same has been shown in the accompanying drawing in which the same reference characters have been used in all the views to indicate corresponding parts. In said drawing,

482,234, and in Germany September 28, 1929.

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical View showing my improved system, and

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the system in a diflerent position.

In the example shown in the figures my improved system comprises five valves or gates 1, 2, 3, 1 and connected with actuating pistons 11, 12, 13, 14: and reciprocating in cylinders (Z d (i d and (Z and adapted to be operated by a suitable motive fluid such as oil under pressure, compressed air, steam or the like, the said motive fluid being supplied to the cylinders either at the top or at the bottom thereof for forcing the pistons downwardly or upwardly and closing or opening the valves. The supply of the pressure fluid is controlled by means of controlling devices in the form of cylinders a a a and a comprising pistons 6 b 72 and b and a two-way cock 0 included in pipes 17 to p and s to 8 The pistons 5 5 b and 6* comprise two steering members 17 and 18, and the cylinders a a a and a are connected with the cylinders d to d as follows: The left hand part of the cylinder 41, is connected by the pipe with the cylinder 6Z near the bottom thereof, and by the pipe Z1 with the cylinder d near the top thereof. The right hand part of the cylinder is connected by pipes s and s respectively with the bottom and top parts of the cylinders (Z and (P. The median part of the cylinder is connected by a branch pipe 19 with a delivery pipe w common to all the cylinders. Thus the bottom and the top parts of the cylinders d and (Z may be connected with the delivery 00 for discharging 1 the water from the cylinders. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the bottom part of the cylinder al is connected with the delivery pipe at, and in the position shown in Fig. 2 the top part of the cylinder (Z is connected with the delivery pipe 00. The controlling cylinders a", a and a are connected in a similar way to the cylinders d d 0Z and CF. The twoway cock 0 may be set either in the position shown in Fig. 1 for supplying the motive fluid first to the cylinder d and removing the waste water from the cylinder (Z through a pipe 8 or in the position .shown in Fig. 2 for first supplying the motive fluid to the cylinder (Z and removing the waste fluid from the cylinder (Z through the pipe 10 The controlling cylinders and pistons are adapted, according to the position of the pistons, either to open the pipes to p and to close the pipes s to s, or to close the pipes p to p and to open the pipes s to s, for successively supplying the motive fluid to the actuating cylinders (Z to (Z the motive fluid being supplied first to the cylinder (Z or to the cylinder (Z according to the position of the twoway cock 0 and the controlling pistons b to 6*.

In my .improved system the two-way cock 0 and the controlling pistons b to b are adapted to be simultaneously reversed by means of a rod 6 adapted to be operated by electrical means, the said rod being connected with electric operating mechanism, and if de sired the said mechanism may be constructed for setting cocks Q and t. In the example shown in the drawing the rod 6 is shifted by means of an electromotor f the shaft f of which is connected by a gearing g Wltllfi screw-threaded spindle 72, having a nut r mounted thereon, the said nut being adapted to rock a lever 2' connected with the rod c to the right or left, according to the direction of rotation of the motor f, as has been indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The electromotor is controlled from a central. station located remote therefrom by means of switches Z and 'm, while the controlling devices a to a are located near the gates. Thus the length of the pipes 10 to p and s to 8 connectin the two-wa cock 0. D 1

the actuating cylinders (Z to (Z and the controlling cylinders a to a is small.

The nut 7' rocking the lever i may also be used for opening and closing two cocks Q and 1, included in the pressure fluid conduit. In

the example shown in the figures the said cocks are included respectively in the pipes 10 and .9 connecting the controlling cylinder a with the actuating cylinders (Z and (5*, and their object is to increase the number of the possible operations of the gates, the pressure fluid flowing successively through the pipes 39 to p to ail the actuating cylinders (Z to (Z when the two-way cock 0 and the controlling pistons 11 to b are in the positions shown n Fig. 1 and the cock 9 is open, while it flows only through the pipes 19 to p and to the first actuating cylinders al to (i when the 1', and if greater movements are imparted to the spindle, the nut 1" rocks one or both of the operating levers w or '0 of the cooks t and g.

The levers 2', u and o are bifurcated at their cluded in the motor circuit for reversing the direction of the current and the direction of rotation of the motor, so that the nut is shifted either to the right or to the left. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 the current flows from plus through the left hand switch lever of the switch m, a lead 20, a cut-out switch to be described hereinafter and a lead 21 to the lower terminal 22 of the electromotor f, and in the position of the parts shown in Fig. v2 the current flows from plus through the left hand switch lever of the switch m and a lead 23 to the upper terminals 24 of the electromotor. Thus the electromotor is rotated in opposite directions according to the position of the switch m. In a similar way thefiow of the current through the switch Z may be traced in Figs. 1 and 2, which switches are likewise adapted to direct the current to the electromotor for operating the same in one or the other direction. The switches Z and m are constructed so that they can not be simultaneously oper ated, and for this purpose blocking means are provided whereby the switch which has been operated prevents the operation of the other one. Each switch Z and m is connected in series with two cut-out switches i 2' and 70 10 the switches 11 and i being located comparatively close to each other, while the switches 76 and Z4 are disposed farther away from each other, and all the switches are operated by a nut n adapted to be shifted by the spindle h. The switches 2' and 70 are operated only for breaking the circuit if they are engaged by the nut n coming from the left, and the switches 2' and 70 are operated only for breaking the circuit by the nut a coming from the right. The switch levers yield to the nut 72 moving respectively in the the opposite directions without operating the switches, and they are connected with springs returning the same into initial position. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1 the switch 70 breaks the circuit, and in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 2 the switch 70 breaks the circuit. Therefore, when one of the switches Z or m is operated, the motor f rotates in the direction imparted thereto by the said switches until the proper cut-out switch is set by the nut it into circuit breaking position, so that the nut r is shifted in one or the other direction exactly through the short path corresponding to the distance between '5 and i or through one of the longer paths corresponding to the lengths Z 2' i k or 70 70 For example, when starting the motor f in the position shown in Fig. 1 in reverse direction by operating the switch m (the switch Z being inoperative), the nuts are moved through a path having the length 70 70 so that the V the sectional path 2' 71 while the nut 1" rocks the levers u or 1; only if the nut 12, travels through the sectional paths Z0 2' or i k respectively. Therefore, if the nut n travels through the small path 2' 2' only the lever 5' is rocked, and when the nut travels through the larger paths '5 or 2' 70 or 70 10 also the levers Q) or u or o and u are rocked. The following table 1 gives the four possible positions of the nut n and the corresponding positions of the controlling members 0, b to 4 b t, g.

Tablel Nut'n Piston b to b two-way Cockt Cockq engaging cockc k At theright Closed Open. k At the left Open Closed. 1' At the right Closed Closed. 1' At the left Closed Closed.

Fig. 1 illustrates the position in which f has been connected by the switch on for forward drive and the cut-out switch 72 has been included in the circuit of the electromotor, so that the nuts have travelled through one of the larger paths to the right, until the nut 7% has engaged the cut-out switch is and the circuit has been broken. Therefore the pistons 79 to 0 are in the positions shown in Fig. 1, and the cock g is open, so that the pressure fluid after successively flowing through the cylinders al (i and d can flow through the pipe 2) and into the controlling cylinder (L The pressure fluid flows through the path indicated in Fig. 1 by arrows and through the pipe 12 cylinder d pipe 12 controlling cylinder a pipe 39 cylinder 6Z2, pipe 10 controlling cylinder a pipe 39 cylinder (i pipe 19 cock g, controlling cylinder a pipe 10 cylinder (Z pipe 39*, controlling cylinder a pipe 10", and cylinder d the pressure fluid left within the cylinders (Z to d from the previous operation escaping through the pipes s or s s s, s and pipe 02. The pressure fluid successively forces the pistons within the actuating cylinders d W, (Z3 downwardly, and the pistons within the cylinders al and d upwardly and into the positions shown in dotted lines.

If, in lieu of shifting the nuts through the large path to the switch I0 they had been shifted through the smaller path to the switch 2' and to the right, by setting the switch Z, in lieu of the switch m, into position for forward drive and with its switch levers engaging the second and fourth terminals from the left, the nut 1 would have been arrested before engaging the lever u, and therefore the cock q included inthe pipe p would have been closed, and the pressure fluid could not flow from the actuating cylinder (Z into the controlling cylinder-a. and from the said cylinder to the actuating cylinders (Z and 65". Therefore only the first three gates 1, 2 and 3 would have been operated, so that finally all the gates were in closing positions.

If it is desired to return the gates into their initial positions, the motor 7 is connected for reverse drive by rocking the switch on to the left and into engagement with the first and fourth terminals, so that the nuts 1" and n are shifted to the left until the nut n engages the switch 702, whereby the controlling members are brought into the positions shown in Fig. 2 in which the cock t is open. Therefore the pressure fluid following the path indicated in Table 2 Posi- Initial position of the gates tion of End position of the gates nut 11,

1, 2, 3 open 1' 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 4, 5 closed Closed 1, 2, 3 closed 1' 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 4, 5 open Closed 1, 2, 3 open 1: 1, 2, 3 closed 4, 4 closed I 4, 5 open or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 closed 1, 2, 3 closed k 1, 2, 3 open 4, 5 open 4, 5 closed.

or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 closed I claim 'gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, means one for each of said actuating devices for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, and electric operating mechanism common to said controlling means, said electric operating mechanism serving to operate the controlling means to selectively operate all or a lesser number of said actuating devices.

2. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, means for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, and electric operating mechanism common to said controlling means and adapted to operate the same in succession selectively in either direction and to operate selectively all or a predetermined lesser number of said controlling means.

3. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid 0perated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, means one for each of said actuating devices for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, common operating mechanism for said controlling means, additional controlling means for said actuating devices, and electric operating mechanism for successively operating said additional controlling means and said operating mechanism.

4. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, a plurality of means for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, electric operating mechanism common to said controlling means and adapted to operate the same in succession, and means operable upon selection at the initiation. of operation, to interrupt the operation of said electric operating mechanism in different stages of its operation.

5. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, means one for each of said actuating devices for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, common operating mechanism for said controlling means, additional controlling means for'said actuating devices, electric operating mechanism for successively operating said additional controlling means and said operating mechanism, and means to interrupt the operation of said electric operating mechanism in different stages of its operation.

6. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, tubular connections connecting said actuating devices in succession for transmitting a motive fluid from one to the other, controlling devices included in said connections, means for supplying the motive fluid to either end or" the series of actuating devices, operating mechanism common to said controlling devices and supplying means, a valve included in one of said tubular connections for opening and closing the same, an electric operating device adapted to operate said operating mechanism and valve in succession, and means to interrupt the operation of said electric operating device in different stages of its operation.

7. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each or" said valves or gates, tubular connections connecting said actuating devices in succession for transmitting a motive fluid from one to the other, controlling devices included in said connections, means for supplying the motive fluid to either end of the series or" actuating devices, operating mechanism common to said controlling devices and supplying means, valves included in some of said tubular connections for opening and closing the same, an electric operating device adapted to operate said operating mechanism and valves in succession, and means to interrupt the operation of said electric operating device in diflerent stages of its operation.

8. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, means one for each of said actuating devices for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, a rotary screwthreaded spindle and a nut travelling thereon and adapted to operate said controlling means, an electromotor connected with said spindle, and controlling means for said electromotor.

9. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination,

with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, means one for each of said actuating devices for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, common operating mechanism for said controlling means, additional controlling means for said actuating devices, a rotary screw-threaded spindle and a nut travelling thereon and adapted successively to operate said operating mechanism and additional controlling means, an electromotor in driving engagement with said spindle, cut-out switches adapted to be included in the circuit of said electromotor and spaced from one another longitudinally of said spindle, a second nut travelling on said spindle and adapted to operate said cut-out switches for interrupting the circuit controlled there by, and a switch connecting either one of said cut-out switches and electromotor with a source of electric energy.

10. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, means one for each of said actuating devices for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, common operating mechanism for said controlling means, additional controlling means for said actuating devices, a rotary screw-threaded spindle and a nut travelling thereon and adapted successively to operate said operating mechanism and additional controlling means, an electromotor in driving engagement with said spindle, cut-out switches adapted to be included in the circuit of said electromotor and spaced from one another longitudinally of said spindle, a second nut travelling on said spindle and adapted to operate said cut-out switches for interrupting the circuit controlled thereby, and a switch connecting either one of said cut-out switches and electromotor for forward or rearward drive with a source of electric energy.

11. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, means one for each of said actuating devices for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, common operating mechanism for said controlling means, additional controlling means for said actuating devices, a rotary screw-threaded spindle and a nut travelling thereon and adapted successively to operate said operating mechanism and additional controlling means, an electromotor in driving engagement with said spindle, cut-out switches adapted to be included in the circuit of said electromotor and spaced from one another longitudinally of said spindle, a second nut travelling on said spindle and adapted to operate said outout switches for interrupting the circuit controlled thereby, and a plurality of switches connecting either one of said cut-out switches and electromotor with a source of electric energy.

12. In a system for controlling valves or gates for commercial plants, the combination, with the valves or gates, of fluid operated actuating devices one for each of said valves or gates, means one for each of said actuating devices for controlling the supply of the motive fluid thereto, common operating mechanism for said controlling means, additional controlling means for said actuating devices,

' a rotary screw-threaded spindle and a nut travelling thereon and adapted successively to operate said operating mechanism and additional controlling means, an electromotor in driving engagement with said spindle, cut-out switches adapted to be included in the circuit of said electromotor and spaced from one another longitudinally of said spindle, a second nut travelling on said spindle and adapted to operate said cut-out switches for interrupting the circuit controlled thereby, a plurality of switches connecting either one of said cut-out switches and electromotor with a source of electric energy, and blocking means preventing, after operation of one of said switches, the operation of the other switches.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

HERMANN RAPP OLD. 

